Mark Levin Podcast: "2026 Immigration Goals: What Should Trump Focus On?"

Date: December 31, 2025
Guest Host: Larry O’Connor (sitting in for Mark Levin)
Podcast Network: Cumulus Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode, with guest host Larry O’Connor, takes a deep dive into U.S. immigration policy at a pivotal turning point: Trump’s return to office, midterm elections approaching, and the approaching 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. O’Connor explores what listeners hope the Trump Administration achieves in 2026—especially on immigration—reflecting on recent conservative victories, ongoing media battles, and listener resolutions for the coming year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Media Bias and Citizen Journalism

[00:42 - 20:05]

• Nick Shirley's Reporting: O’Connor opens with outrage over the media’s attack on Nick Shirley, a 23-year-old independent journalist whose undercover investigation into Medicaid and childcare fraud in Minneapolis, especially within the Somali community, went viral.

  • Media's Reaction: Legacy outlets like CNN focus on labeling Shirley a “MAGA journalist” rather than investigating the fraud itself.
  • POLITICO's Josh Gerstein: Criticized for suggesting (in O’Connor’s words) that Shirley’s amateur investigative tactics might get him shot—an example of smothering the messenger instead of confronting uncomfortable topics.

• Quote:

  "When the mainstream media... looked like incompetent fools because a 23 year-old was able to do something they certainly could have done, but chose not to... their response was, 'let's destroy that kid.'"
  — Larry O’Connor [05:44]

• Andrew Breitbart’s Legacy & Citizen Journalism: O’Connor reflects on the Breitbart era and celebrates the rise of citizen journalists like Shirley, invoking James O’Keefe and the Monica Lewinsky scoop as pivotal moments when nontraditional media broke major stories.

• Quote:

  "Andrew [Breitbart] envisioned citizen journalists just like Nick Shirley. This was his vision..."
  — Larry O’Connor [03:45]

Notable Moment:
POLITICO’s Gerstein's comment is read aloud and sharply criticized—as O’Connor puts it, “basically saying this guy’s gonna get shot... Despicable.”
[14:38, 20:15, 23:02]

2. Illegal Immigration, Medicaid Fraud, and Federal-State Battles

[23:02 - 39:39]

• Federal Court Victory for Trump Administration:

  • A federal judge ruled that the administration can access state Medicaid data to aid immigration enforcement. This allows ICE to track and deport undocumented immigrants unlawfully receiving benefits—a long-contentious issue blocked by lawsuits from blue states.
  • O’Connor underscores the irony: If, as Democrats claim, undocumented immigrants do not receive federal benefits, why did states fight so hard to block data sharing?

• Quote:

  "If illegal immigrants aren't getting these benefits, why would [states] sue to prevent the information from getting out?"
  — Larry O’Connor [30:18]

• Big Picture:

  • O’Connor contends these legal developments prove that while the left repeats that “illegals don’t get benefits,” the states’ legal maneuvers indicate otherwise.

3. Immigration Victories in 2025 & Listener Resolutions for 2026

[39:39 - 75:15]

• 2025 Immigration Milestones:

  • Trump Administration hailed for sharply reducing illegal border crossings, increasing deportations, and lowering drug overdoses—attributed to border enforcement.

    • Stats: 2.5 million deported, 1.9 million self-deported, 600,000 apprehended and deported (70% criminals).
    • O’Connor clarifies: All who crossed illegally or overstayed are lawbreakers; there's no “mass of innocent overstayers.”

  • Self-Deportation Program: O’Connor lauds the administration's $3,000 cash incentive + free flight home offer for voluntary return, warning that those remaining are “living on borrowed time.”

• Quote:

  “When you cross our border illegally... that is a criminal act. They are splitting hairs and parsing and playing word games when they say, 'well, being an illegal immigrant is just a civil offense.' ...Nope.”
  — Larry O’Connor [41:44]

Listener Calls: What Should Trump and Congress Do in 2026?

[35:42, 53:24, 60:19, 64:23, 71:37, 75:35]

• California’s Woes:

  • Multiple callers from California decry Newsom’s policies, dam removals, and infrastructure collapse; O’Connor returns to a common theme: broken states must fix themselves, not expect federal rescue for policies voters chose.

  • Quote:

    “Until Californians are interested in fixing California, it’s never going to get fixed... Change has got to come from within the Golden State.”
    — Larry O’Connor [38:27]

• Immigration Reform Suggestions:

  • Callers propose ending 1965 Immigration Act, challenging birthright citizenship, redrawing census methodology to exclude illegal immigrants from congressional apportionment, and withholding recognition of drivers’ licenses from sanctuary states.

  • O’Connor discusses practical/constitutional challenges to these proposals but appreciates “outside the box thinking.”

  • Quote:

    "This next year we might not see repeal of the '65 Immigration Act, but... birthright citizenship and the census question... could upend everything."
    — Larry O’Connor [55:35]

• Callers Want prosecutions of corrupt Congress members, firings in DOJ, and more accountability for the “RussiaGate” and other political scandals (David in New Jersey [69:38]).

• Listener Reflection on Media Attacks on Citizen Journalists:

  • “Attacking Nick Shirley just puts him on a bigger platform. The left is doing another stupid thing.”
    — Omar in Texas [71:42]

4. Conservative Media Landscape and Praise for Victor Davis Hanson

[79:16 - 93:06]

• Larry O’Connor reflects on the collaborative and competitive podcast/AM radio community, emphasizing the value of conservative voices—even those from different “tribes.”

• Special Segment on Victor Davis Hanson:

  • O’Connor and Mark Levin urge prayers and well wishes for Hanson’s recovery from surgery, lauding him as an independent-minded and principled conservative "who never insulted voters who supported Trump.”
  • Quote:

    “Sometimes Victor Davis Hanson makes me think a second time about what I was sure I knew. He really is one of the best we have.”
    — Larry O’Connor [87:08]

5. Broader Policy and Cultural Debates

[102:06 - end]

• “Homeless Crisis” Parallels Illegal Immigration:

  • O’Connor argues that, like illegal border crossings, homelessness persists due to leftist euphemisms and refusal to enforce existing vagrancy laws—he calls for a “Giuliani-style” crackdown using current laws, not new ones.

  • Quote:

    “They change the name of the problem every ten years because they're trying to destigmatize the crime that's being committed.”
    — Larry O’Connor [102:24]

• Fixes for the Future:

  • Calls on local, not just federal, officials to show backbone and enforce laws rather than rely on Washington for salvation.
  • Suggestion: Conservative governors could fix much of the "unhoused" problem quickly—just as Trump did with the border.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |------------|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:44 | Larry O’Connor | “They looked like incompetent fools because a 23 year-old was able to do something…”| | 14:38 | Larry O’Connor | “Josh Gerstein... basically saying this guy's gonna get shot. Despicable.” | | 30:18 | Larry O’Connor | “If illegal immigrants aren't getting these benefits, why would [states] sue...?" | | 38:27 | Larry O’Connor | “Change has got to come from within the Golden State.” | | 41:44 | Larry O’Connor | “…that is a criminal act. They are splitting hairs…” | | 55:35 | Larry O’Connor | “Next year... birthright citizenship and the census question could upend everything.”| | 71:42 | Omar (caller) | “Attacking Nick Shirley just puts him on a bigger platform. The left is doing another stupid thing.” | | 87:08 | Larry O’Connor | “Sometimes Victor Davis Hanson makes me think a second time about what I was sure I knew...”| | 102:24 | Larry O’Connor | “They change the name of the problem every ten years because they're trying to destigmatize the crime that's being committed.” |

Important Segment Timestamps

• Nick Shirley, citizen journalism & media attacks: [00:42 – 20:15]
• POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein “Stand Your Ground” controversy: [14:38, 20:15, 23:02]
• Federal court decision on Medicaid/ICE data sharing: [23:02 – 35:42]
• 2025 Immigration wins & stats, self-deportation: [39:39 – 51:57]
• Calls & Resolutions for Trump 2026: [53:24 – 75:15]
• Praise for Victor Davis Hanson: [79:16 – 93:06]
• “Homeless crisis” as law enforcement issue: [102:06 – 113:38]

Conclusion & Takeaways

This episode, guest-hosted by Larry O’Connor, is a passionate, combative, and occasionally self-reflective snapshot of conservative priorities entering 2026:

• Immigration Enforcement: Trump’s breakneck drive to secure the border, deport criminals, and tackle benefit fraud is held up as a model.
• Citizen Journalists vs. Legacy Media: The rise of figures like Nick Shirley, and the media’s attempts to “smother” inconvenient stories, take center stage—O’Connor calls for more support and recognition for such journalists.
• Blue State Dilemmas: California’s self-inflicted woes, and calls for states to take responsibility, are recurring themes.
• 2026 Priorities: Listeners crave further immigration enforcement, congressional accountability, and a robust conservative response not just from Washington, but from governors and communities nationwide.
• Media & Conservative Thought: O’Connor’s generous tribute to Victor Davis Hanson—and to the broader ecosystem of right-leaning media—doubles down on the importance of diverse, principled voices.

Overall mood: Defiant, optimistic, and bracing for continued struggle: “You have to have the leadership and the focus to enforce the laws that are on the books... and make America great again.” [102:06]